Wire-stretcher



(No ModeL) L. D. DRAKE.

WIRE STRETGHER.

No. 332,240. Patented Dec. 15, 1885.

INVEWTOR 7 17.40.27 2,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LORENZO DOW DRAKE, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

:EPECIPICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 332,240, dated December 15, 1885.

Application filed April 23. 1885. Serial No. 1673,1741 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LORENZO D. DRAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Improvement in W'ire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to wirestretchers, and more particularly to that class designed for use in building a paling fence in which the palings are held in place by wire woven or twisted around the same, the object being to provide a stretcher which shall be simple in its construction, efi'ective in its operation, one that will be strong and durable, and one by which the wire may be easily stretched with but a minimum expenditure of power.

\Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the improved construction and combinations of parts hereinafter, fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my improved stretcher in position for operation. Fig. 2 is a plan and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the attaching-brackets removed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures, A represents the frame, which comprises the top. and bottom strips B, connected at their ends by uprights O. Secured to the top and bottom strips B, near the forward ends thereof, are bearingboxes at, in which are mounted the reduced ends of a vertical bar or shaft, D. Rigidly mounted on the upper end of the shaft D is a ratchet-wheel, c, and adapted to engage the same is a pivoted pawl, d, located on the upper side of the top strip. The upper end of the shaft D is squared, and adapted to engage the same is a handle, E, having a squared opening to receive the shaft. Secured to the vertical shaft D, at a point about midway its ends, is a book, 6, to which is attached a chain or wire rope, f, which is attached at its other end to a bar, 9, having at its upper and lower ends couplings for grasping and holding the wire. At the forward corners of the frame A are provided attaching-brackets F, which are of metal and are adapted to fit around one of the posts of the fence.

The operation is as follows: The posts are first driven in the ground at the desired intervals, and the wires attached to the end post. The wires are preferably arranged in pairs one pair at the upper end and the other pair at the lower end. The wires are twisted and the palings inserted between the same. The stretcher-frame is attached to one of the posts by means of the brackets F, and the wires attached to the bar 9. The vertical shaft D is then turned by means of the handle 011 the upper end of the said shaft, the pawl engaging the ratchet Wheel and preventing the backward movement of said shaft. The wires may be stretched to the next adjacent post and then secured thereto, after which the wires may be again twisted and more palings inserted between the same.

The wire-stretcher before described is simple in its construction, effective in its opera tion, strong and durable, and may be readily operated with but a minimum expenditure of power.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The improved wire stretcher herein described, comprising a vertical frame, a vertical power-shaft journaled at its ends in said frame, a ratchet-wheel received on said shaft at the upper end thereof exterior to the frame, a spring-pawl pivoted to the frame and adapted to engage the ratchet, hook-shaped brackets F F, secured to the rear upright bar of the frame at the ends thereof, and adapted to en gage a fence-post to support the frame, a bar arranged in front of the frame and having wire couplings on its ends, a chain rigidly secured to the power-shaft and connected to the bar at the middle thereof, and a horizontal operating-lever secured upon the squared end of the power-shaft, all arranged and adapted as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LORENZO DOW DRAKE.

Vitnesses:

J. WV. COLE, WV. A. DRAKE. 

